SOUTH AFRICA….the “Rainbow” nation….diverse, beautiful, multi cultural, and without doubt the worlds most wonderful holiday destination.

South Africa is King Travel’s number 1 Longhaul destination ….because we don’t just sell from the brochures like other agents ….we set ourselves apart from others because we have been there, and moreover we have a passion for this country like few others.

Fidelma Brady is our South African expert. Fidelma has travelled extensively to South Africa on a number of occasions and can personally recommend a variety of diverse locations and accommodation options…..take a magical journey with Fidelma through her favourite South African highlights.

Capetown – “The Mother City” is a must on any South African holiday. With beautiful Table Mountain in the background (a visit in the cable car from the base is a must), the former prison home of Nelson Mandela- Robben Island a short boat trip, the wonderful shopping opportunities at the Victoria & Albert Waterfront, the scenic coastal drive from Capetown via Camps Bay, Bantry Bay, Clifton and onto the Cape of Good Hope, the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens and great restaurants and hotels …Capetown offers it all.

V&A Waterfront at night

Kruger Park and the Province of Mpumalanga

Nowhere else in the world will you see a sunset like an African one (the one on our homepage was taken by Fidelma on her most recent trip)….sunset on safari with a sun dower drink in your hand…it’s hard to beat!!

The Kruger Park area is the must see highlight on any itinerary. Big 5 game is abundant in the Sabi Sands area located south of the Kruger Park. Here you will find most of the best 5* deluxe private Game reserves in Southern Africa from Singita, Mala Mala, Sabi Sabi, Londolozi to name but a few. In any of these game reserves you will experience deluxe accommodation and an unbelievable game experience.Fidelma has also travelled to different game areas in the north of the Kruger Park one in particular which offers a “safari for the Soul” and is called Garonga….a real favourite of Fidelmas.

This area offers more than just safari-Did you know that this area also has the third largest canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon is USA and the Fish River Canyon in Namibia?

It’s called the “Blyde River Canyon” and forms part of the panoramic route which takes in “God Window”, the old mining town of Pilgrims Rest, Graskop (wonderful for pancakes) the Three Rondavels and the Bourke Potholes- scenery and a landscape ones should not miss!!

Sun City

A manmade oasis located 3 hours from Johannesburg…..great for relaxation, golf, gambling, the Lost City and the nearby Pilanesberg National Park where you can go in a hot air balloon.- The Palace Hotel at Sun City is amazing and worth a visit

The Garden Route

The garden route is a wonderful drive taking in the towns of Knysna, Plettenburg Bay, and Mossel Bay among others….there whale watching, national parks.  An Ostrich farm, the Cango Caves- it’s different and well worth a leisurely drive

The Winelands – Western Cape

Whether it is its magnificent natural beauty, its rich cultural heritage or its world-renowned wines, the Winelands Region is synonymous with all the best that the Cape has to offer. A 45-minute drive from Cape Town brings you to this area where splendid mountains form a dramatic backdrop to lush vineyards and gabled Cape Dutch homesteads steeped in history. Come experience the hospitality and beauty of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek. The diversity of the Winelands will capture every heart!!

Visit the Van Ryn Brandy Distillery, the village at Spier with its award winning wines or Fidelma favourite vineyard Rust En Verde, where the “estate wine” which has a combination of 3 or 4 different grape varieties ensure you get a bottle of wine you wont easy forget, or indeed Rust en Vrede Merlot was served at the Nobel Peace Prize dinner in Oslo for Nelson Mandela.

King Travel work very closely with our agent in South Africa “Hidden Vintage” who offer our clients a wonderful personal service from their arrival in South Africa until their departure. Below are some of the wonderful sample itineraries King Travel can offer in conjunction with “Hidden Vintage”. Please do call us if you have any questions or if would like to receive a copy of the “Hidden Vintage” brochure.

Kruger Fly-in Safari Special - 5 Nights

Following a relaxing night in the stylish Ten Bompass boutique hotel, located in a safe and fashionable suburb of Johannesburg, board your flight to the Greater Kruger where you spend 2 days searching for the ‘Big 5’ from Honeyguide tented safari camp in the Manyeleti Private Game Reserve. A light aircraft transfer then drops you in the wilder, lesser known, northern reaches of the Kruger where you enjoy 2 more nights in The Outpost, one of Africa’s most tantalising wilderness lodges.

Including: -

• Transfer from Johannesburg International Airport to Ten Bompas
• 1 night at Ten Bompas: accommodation, breakfast, a complimentary mini bar in the suite, laundry, all hot beverages
• Transfer to airport
• Flight to Honeyguide
• 2 nights Honeyguide: accommodation, all meals, beverages, game drives and guided walks
• Flight to The Outpost
• 2 nights The Outpost private: accommodation, all meals, beverages, game drives and guided walks
• Flight to Johannesburg

Note: The above excludes: Flights Dublin to / from Johannesburg

PRICE FROM €2,100.00 PP

Best of Both Worlds: Cape Town & Kruger - 8 Nights

Combine 5 nights of relaxing, fine dining and sightseeing in the Cape accommodated in Constantia Uitsig, a luxury country hotel ideally situated in the heart of the vineyards of the Constantia Valley only 20 minutes from Cape Town city centre, with a 3 night big game experience in Tanda Tula, a luxury tented safari camp situated in the prestigious private Timbavati game reserve (greater Kruger).

Including: -

• Meet & Greet on arrival
• 5 days car hire, Group B, Nissan Almera or similar
• 5 nights, Cape Town, Constantia Uitsig, Victorian Double room, B&B
• Private transfer from KMIA to Tanda Tula in luxury Chrysler Voyager
• 3 nights, Timbavati Private Game Reserve, Tanda Tula, Full board & Activities
• Private transfer from Tanda Tula to KMIA in luxury Chrysler Voyager

Note:The above excludes: Flights Dublin to / from Cape Town, Cape Town to KMIA or KMIA to Cape Town / Johannesburg.

Price from €1950.00 pp

The Hidden Gems of the Cape - 13 Nights

Unwind with 5 days relaxing at the stylish O on Kloof, overlooking the sea and the setting sun in Cape Town’s fashionable suburb of Bantry Bay before moving to River Manor from where you discovering the charms of Stellenbosch and its surrounding winelands. You now continue to the ever friendly Hog Hollow Country Lodge in the Garden Route and enjoy all the attractions on offer in this scenic region before ending your holiday at the sumptuous Elephant House, enjoying game drives into the malaria free Addo national park, home to a wide variety of wildlife including the legendary ‘Big 5.’

Valid 1 November 2005 to 30 April 2006

Including: -

• Meet & Greet on arrival
• 14 car hire, group B, Nissan Almera or similar
• 5 nights Cape Town, O on Kloof, Standard Room, B&B (one night complimentary)
• 2 nights Stellenbsoch, River Manor, Classic Room, B&B (one complimentary 15 min foot or scalp massage)
• 4 nights Garden Route, Plettenberg Bay, Hog Hollow, B&B (complimentary bottle of wine & gift on arrival)
• 2 nights Addo, Elephant House, B&B (complimentary dinner each evening)

Note: The above excludes: Flights Dublin to / from Cape Town and Port Elizabeth to Cape Town flights

PRICE PER PERSON FROM €1699.00

Romantic & Passionate Africa: Beaches of Mozambique & Wildlife of Kruger - 12 Nights

Start your honeymoon relaxing on an idyllic, African, desert-island style beach along the coast of Mozambique enjoying the coconut lined beaches, clear waters, pristine reefs and the intimate atmosphere of Marlin Lodge. After a week of sun and sea, you now board a flight for South Africa’s famous Kruger park where you enjoy a thrilling big game experience at Idube, in the heart of the celebrated Sabi Sands private game reserve, followed by a safari for the soul at Garonga and end your honeymoon with two nights to ponder it all at Cybele Forest Lodge, an exclusive Relais & Chateaux lodge in scenic Mpumalanga.

Valid May to August 2006

Including: -

• Boat Transfer from Vilanculos to Benguera Island
• 6 nights, Bengueara Island, Marlin Lodge, Luxury Room, Full Board & non motorized activities.
• Complimentary dhow cruise, island drive & snorkel trip to 2 mile reef
• Boat transfer to Vilanculos
• (Flight to KMIA excluded)
• Meet & Greet in KMIA & private transfer to Idube in luxury Chrysler Voyager
• 2 nights, Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve, Idube Lodge, Full Board & Activities
• Air transfer to Garonga
• 2 nights, Garonga Safari Camp, Full Board & Activities
• Private escorted tour of Panorama Route, including picnic lunch en route, ending in Cybele
• 2 nights Cybele Forest Lodge, Luxury Cottage, DB&B
• Private transfer to KMIA in luxury Chrysler Voyager

Note: The above excludes: Flights Dublin to / from Johannesburg, Johannesburg to Vilanculos, Vilanculos to KMIA and KMIA to Johannesburg flights.

Price per person from €3599.00

Visions of Namibia – Fly In Safari - 7 Nights

Namibia is a country to feed the soul and enliven the senses. From the luxurious Onguma Lodge enjoy thrilling big game encounters in the world renowned Etosha National Park – reputed to be home to the biggest elephants in Africa. Continue to Damaraland and to the luxury tented Mowani Mountain Camp where you enjoy visits to the famous Twyfelfontein Bushman paintings, track desert elephants and find the true meaning of peace and tranquility as the sun sets over the imposing boulders that surround you. After spending a day in the quaint coastal town of Swakopmund continue into the heart of the Namib Desert where you spend your final nights at the magnificent Wolwedans Dunes Lodge surrounded by spectacular views of the ochre red dunes, plains and distant mountains of the NamibRand.

Including: -

• Airport transfers
• Light aircraft transfers from Windhoek, between lodges, and back to Windhoek
• Accommodation on a full board basis as follows:
• 2 nights Onguma Lodge
• 2 nights Mowani Mountain Lodge
• 3 nights Wolwedans Dunes Lodge
• All scheduled activities at the lodges
• House wines & drinks while on activities
• Charter costs, pilot accommodation, overnight and meals

Note: The above excludes: Flights Dublin to / from Windhoek

Price per person from €3999.00

 South Africa really is worth a visit and we promise you the honeymoon or holiday of a lifetime.

Fidelma may be contact by email- fidelma.brady@kingtravel.ie or by telephone 01-8453600